Image forming apparatus having drawer supporting process cartridge
Summary by NHIP
Drawer biasing process cartridge
The image forming apparatus moves a process cartridge upward within a drawer using two distinct biasing parts. The first part uses spaced first and second members to advance a vertical guide, while the second part uses spaced third and fourth members located apart in the axial direction.
Claim Score by NHIP
Abstract
In an image forming apparatus, a drawer includes a first biasing part and a second biasing part. A process cartridge includes: a first protruding part provided on one end of the process cartridge in an axial direction of a photosensitive drum; and a second protruding part provided on another end of the process cartridge in the axial direction. Each of the first and second protruding parts extends in a sliding direction, in which the drawer moves, and overlaps with a center of the process cartridge. In a state that the drawer supporting the process cartridge is at an internal position inside of a main casing, the process cartridge moves from a first position to a second position positioned above the first position by the first protruding part being biased by the first biasing part and the second protruding part being biased by the second biasing part.
Term
9.4 yearsleft in the term
Expires 5 February 2036.
- Priority
- Filed
- Granted
- Today
- Expires
18 claims: 2 independent, 16 dependent
- 1An image forming apparatus comprising:a main casing;a process cartridge including a photosensitive drum;and a drawer configured to support the process cartridge and move in a sliding direction between an internal position inside of the main casing and an external position outside of the main casing, the sliding direction being perpendicular to an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the process cartridge being configured such that in a state that the drawer supporting the process cartridge is at the internal position, the process cartridge moves linearly in a perpendicular direction between a first position and a second position positioned above the first position, the perpendicular direction being perpendicular to both of the axial direction and the sliding direction, the drawer comprising: a first biasing part configured to bias the process cartridge upward, the first biasing part comprising a first biasing member, a second biasing member disposed spaced apart from the first biasing member in the sliding direction, a first advance/retract part configured to advance and retract vertically due to biasing force of the first and second biasing members, and a first guide part configured to guide movement of the first advance/retract part, and a second biasing part configured to bias the process cartridge upward, the second biasing part being disposed spaced apart from the first biasing part in the axial direction, and comprising a third biasing member, a fourth biasing member disposed spaced apart from the third biasing member in the sliding direction, a second advance/retract part configured to advance and retract vertically due to the biasing force of the third and fourth biasing members, and a second guide part configured to guide movement of the second advance/retract part, the process cartridge comprising: a first protruding part provided on one end of the process cartridge in the axial direction;and a second protruding part provided on another end of the process cartridge in the axial direction, each of the first protruding part and the second protruding part extending in the sliding direction, and overlapping with a center of the process cartridge, the process cartridge being configured such that in a state that the drawer supporting the process cartridge is at the internal position, the process cartridge moves from the first position to the second position by the first protruding part being biased by the first biasing part and the second protruding part being biased by the second biasing part, the first biasing member and the second biasing member are provided to the drawer such that in a state that the drawer supporting the process cartridge is at the internal position, the center of the process cartridge is interposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member, the third biasing member and the fourth biasing member are provided to the drawer such that in a state that the drawer supporting the process cartridge is at the internal position, the center of the process cartridge is interposed between the third biasing member and the fourth biasing member, wherein the first advance/retract part comprises: a first contact portion configured to contact the first protruding part so as to move the process cartridge between the first position and the second position, a first restricting portion provided at one end of the first biasing part in the sliding direction, and a second restricting portion provided at another end of the first biasing part in the sliding direction, and wherein the second advance/retract part comprises: a second contact portion configured to contact the second protruding part so as to move the process cartridge between the first position and the second position, a third restricting portion provided at one end of the second biasing part in the sliding direction, and a fourth restricting portion provided at another end of the second biasing part in the sliding direction.
- 14Broadest claimClaim Score 34, narrow(NHIP)An image forming apparatus comprising:a main casing;a process cartridge including a photosensitive drum;and a drawer configured to support the process cartridge and move in a sliding direction between an internal position inside of the main casing and an external position outside of the main casing, the sliding direction being perpendicular to an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the process cartridge being configured such that in a state that the drawer supporting the process cartridge is at the internal position, the process cartridge moves linearly in a perpendicular direction between a first position and a second position positioned above the first position, the perpendicular direction being perpendicular to both of the axial direction and the sliding direction, the drawer comprising: a first biasing part configured to bias the process cartridge upward;and a second biasing part configured to bias the process cartridge upward, the second biasing part being disposed spaced apart from the first biasing part in the axial direction, the process cartridge comprising: a first protruding part provided on one end of the process cartridge in the axial direction;and a second protruding part provided on another end of the process cartridge in the axial direction, each of the first protruding part and the second protruding part extending in the sliding direction, and overlapping with a center of the process cartridge, the process cartridge being configured such that in a state that the drawer supporting the process cartridge is at the internal position, the process cartridge moves from the first position to the second position by the first protruding part being biased by the first biasing part and the second protruding part being biased by the second biasing part, wherein the main casing is provided with a positioning member configured to position the photosensitive drum, the process cartridge comprises an engagement part configured to be engaged with the positioning member, thereby positioning the photosensitive drum, and the process cartridge is configured such that in a state that the process cartridge is at the first position, the engagement part is engaged with the positioning member and that in a state that the process cartridge is at the second position, engagement between the engagement part and the positioning member is released.
Independent claims2
283 paragraphs in 6 sections, as filed
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-022598 filed Feb. 6, 2015. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an electro-photographic type image forming apparatus.
BACKGROUND
A conventional electro-photographic type image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges each including a photosensitive drum.
United States Patent Application Publication No. 2010/239314A1 discloses such image forming apparatus including: a main housing; and a cartridge tray supporting a plurality of cartridges and configured to be pushed in and pulled out of the main housing. The main housing includes a pair of metal plates each being provided with positioning portions, and the cartridge tray is provided with a plurality of pairs of biasing assemblies. Each biasing assembly is configured to bias a corresponding end of a corresponding cartridge in a direction away from the corresponding positioning portion.
According to the disclosed image forming apparatus, the cartridge is subjected to positioning with respect to the main housing upon fixing the cartridge to the positioning portions, and the cartridge tray can be pulled out of the main housing after the cartridge has been spaced away from the positioning portions by the biasing assemblies. Each biasing assembly includes an abutment member configured to abut against the cartridge, and a single support spring configured to bias the abutment member.
SUMMARY
However, according to the above-described biasing assembly, stable movement of the cartridge may not be attainable when the cartridge is to be moved away from the positioning portions.
It is therefore an object of an embodiment of the disclosure to provide an image forming apparatus capable of stably moving the process cartridge between two positions.
This and other objects will be attained by providing an image forming apparatus including: a main casing; a process cartridge; and a drawer. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The drawer is configured to support the process cartridge and move in a sliding direction between an internal position inside of the main casing and an external position outside of the main casing. The sliding direction is perpendicular to an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The process cartridge is configured such that in a state that the drawer supporting the process cartridge is at the internal position, the process cartridge moves linearly in a perpendicular direction between a first position and a second position positioned above the first position. The perpendicular direction is perpendicular to both of the axial direction and the sliding direction. The drawer includes: a first biasing part; and a second biasing part. The first biasing part is configured to bias the process cartridge toward upward. The second biasing part is configured to bias the process cartridge toward upward. The second biasing part is disposed spaced apart from the first biasing part in the axial direction. The process cartridge includes: a first protruding part; and a second protruding part. The first protruding part is provided on one end of the process cartridge in the axial direction. The second protruding part is provided on another end of the process cartridge in the axial direction. Each of the first protruding part and the second protruding part extends in the sliding direction, and overlaps with a center of the process cartridge. The process cartridge is configured such that in a state that the drawer supporting the process cartridge is at the internal position, the process cartridge moves from the first position to the second position by the first protruding part being biased by the first biasing part and the second protruding part being biased by the second biasing part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The particular features and advantages of the disclosure as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a cross-sectional side view of an image forming apparatus, according to a first embodiment, taken along a leftward/rightward center of the image forming apparatus, and showing a state where a front cover is at its closed position, and a drawer is at its internal position;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref> is a perspective view of the drawer as viewed from frontward and upward of the drawer;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref> is a right side view of a process cartridge in the image forming apparatus shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref> is a left side view of the process cartridge shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a front view of the image forming apparatus, from which the front cover is omitted;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus taken along a line A-A in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a cross-sectional side view of the image forming apparatus taken along a line B-B of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus taken along a line C-C of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a cross-sectional side view of the image forming apparatus, according to the first embodiment, taken along the leftward/rightward center thereof, and showing a state where the front cover is at its open position and the drawer is at its internal position;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a front view of the image forming apparatus shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, from which the front cover is omitted;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> and taken along a line corresponding to the line A-A of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a cross-sectional side view of the image forming apparatus shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> and taken along a line corresponding to the line B-B of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> and taken along a line corresponding to the line C-C of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a cross-sectional side view of the image forming apparatus, according to the first embodiment, taken along the leftward/rightward center thereof, and showing a state where the front cover is at its open position, and the drawer is at its external position;
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a cross-sectional side view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment, and taken along a line corresponding to the line B-B of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> and showing a state where a front cover is at its closed position; and
<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a cross-sectional side view of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and taken along a line corresponding to the line B-B of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> and showing a state where the front cover is at its open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An image forming apparatus <b>1</b> according to a first embodiment will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like parts and components are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description.
The terms “upward”, “downward”, “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, “beneath”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “rear” and the like will be used throughout the description assuming that the image forming apparatus <b>1</b> is disposed in an orientation in which it is intended to be used. In use, the image forming apparatus <b>1</b> is disposed as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.
1. Entire Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, an image forming apparatus <b>1</b> is a horizontal intermediate transfer type color printer.
The image forming apparatus <b>1</b> includes a main casing <b>2</b>, an image forming section <b>3</b> that forms an image on a sheet P, and an image read section <b>5</b> that reads image information on a document.
The main casing <b>2</b> has a substantially box shape. The main casing <b>2</b> includes a front cover <b>6</b> for closing an opening <b>17</b>, a sheet supply tray <b>7</b>, and a sheet discharge tray <b>41</b>.
The opening <b>17</b> is formed at a front end portion of the main casing <b>2</b> and communicates an inside and an outside of the main casing <b>2</b> in a forward/rearward direction. The front cover <b>6</b> is configured to pivotally move about a lower end portion thereof between: a closed position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) closing the opening <b>17</b>; and an open position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>) opening the opening <b>17</b>.
The sheet supply tray <b>7</b> is disposed at a lower end portion inside the main casing <b>2</b> and is configured to accommodate sheets P therein. Each sheet P accommodated in the sheet supply tray <b>7</b> is conveyed by various rollers at a predetermined timing to a position between an intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> (to be described later) and a secondary transfer roller <b>31</b> (to be described later). The sheet discharge tray <b>41</b> is defined on an upper surface of the main casing <b>2</b>.
The image forming section <b>3</b> includes an exposure unit <b>11</b>, a transfer unit <b>12</b>, a fixing unit <b>13</b>, process cartridges <b>14</b>, and a drawer <b>15</b>.
The exposure unit <b>11</b> is disposed above the sheet supply tray <b>7</b> at a lower portion inside the main casing <b>2</b>.
The drawer <b>15</b> is disposed in a substantial center inside the main casing <b>2</b> in the vertical direction (upward/downward direction) so as to be positioned above the exposure unit <b>11</b>. The drawer <b>15</b> is configured to support four process cartridges <b>14</b>. The drawer <b>15</b> is configured to move, while supporting the four process cartridges <b>14</b>, in a forward/rearward direction between an internal position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) inside the main casing <b>2</b> and an external position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>) outside the main casing <b>2</b> through the opening <b>17</b>. That is, the opening <b>17</b> allows the four process cartridges <b>14</b> to pass therethrough.
Hereinafter, for descriptive convenience, it is assumed that the front cover <b>6</b> is situated at the closed position, and the drawer <b>15</b> is situated at the internal position.
The four process cartridges <b>14</b> are arrayed in the forward/rearward direction with gaps therebetween. The four process cartridges <b>14</b> each includes a photosensitive drum <b>18</b>, a charge roller <b>22</b> for charging a surface of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>, and a developing unit <b>29</b> for supplying toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>.
The transfer unit <b>12</b> is disposed at an upper portion inside the main casing <b>2</b> so as to be positioned above the drawer <b>15</b> that supports the process cartridges <b>14</b>. The transfer unit <b>12</b> includes a belt unit <b>30</b> and a secondary transfer roller <b>31</b>. The belt unit <b>30</b> is disposed along the forward/rearward direction so as to be positioned above all the photosensitive drums <b>18</b>. That is, the four process cartridges <b>14</b> are disposed between the belt unit <b>30</b> and the exposure unit <b>11</b>.
The belt unit <b>30</b> includes a drive roller <b>32</b>, a follower roller <b>33</b>, an intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b>, four primary transfer rollers <b>35</b>, and an opposing roller <b>36</b>.
The drive roller <b>32</b> is rotatably supported at a rear end portion of the belt unit <b>30</b>. The follower roller <b>33</b> is rotatably supported at a front end portion of the belt unit <b>30</b>.
The intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> has a transfer surface <b>34</b>A onto which a toner image is transferred and from which the toner image is transferred. The intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> is stretched between the drive roller <b>32</b> and the follower roller <b>33</b> in such a manner that the transfer surface <b>34</b>A at a lower portion of the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> contacts upper end portions of all the photosensitive drums <b>18</b>. That is, the belt unit <b>30</b> is disposed facing the four photosensitive drums <b>18</b> in the vertical direction. By drive rotation of the drive roller <b>32</b> and following rotation of the follower roller <b>33</b>, the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> circulates such that the lower portion thereof is moved from the front to the rear.
The four primary transfer rollers <b>35</b> are disposed between the drive roller <b>32</b> and the follower roller <b>33</b> so as to be arrayed in the forward/rearward direction with gaps therebetween. The primary transfer rollers <b>35</b> are each disposed above the corresponding photosensitive drum <b>18</b> with the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> sandwiched between the primary transfer roller <b>35</b> and the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>.
The opposing roller <b>36</b> is disposed between the frontmost primary transfer roller <b>35</b> and the follower roller <b>33</b>. The secondary transfer roller <b>31</b> is disposed rearward of the drive roller <b>32</b> with the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller <b>31</b> and the drive roller <b>32</b>.
The fixing unit <b>13</b> is disposed above the secondary transfer roller <b>31</b>. The fixing unit <b>13</b> includes a heating roller <b>37</b> and a pressurizing roller <b>38</b> that is brought into pressure contact with an upper rear end portion of the heating roller <b>37</b>.
The image read section <b>5</b> is disposed above the main casing <b>2</b> so as to cover the sheet discharge tray <b>41</b> from above.
With the above-described configuration, the image forming apparatus <b>1</b> starts image forming operation under control of a control section (not illustrated). When the image forming operation is started, the charge roller <b>22</b> uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>. Thereafter, as indicated by solid lines, the exposure unit <b>11</b> emits laser beams based on image data toward the surfaces of the plurality of photosensitive drums <b>18</b> through laser passing ports <b>55</b> (to be described later) and laser passing holes <b>90</b> (to be described later) to expose the photosensitive drums <b>18</b>. As a result, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on each of the photosensitive drums <b>18</b>.
The image data may include, for example, image data transmitted to the image forming apparatus <b>1</b> from a personal computer (not illustrated) connected to the image forming apparatus <b>1</b>, image data read by the image read section <b>5</b>, and the like.
Each developing unit <b>29</b> supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on a corresponding photosensitive drum <b>18</b>. As a result, each photosensitive drum <b>18</b> carries a toner image on the surface thereof.
The toner image carried on the surface of each photosensitive drum <b>18</b> is subjected to a primary-transfer process, by the primary transfer roller <b>35</b>, onto the transfer surface <b>34</b>A at the lower portion of the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> that is moved from the front to rear. As a result, a multi-color image is formed on the transfer surface <b>34</b>A at the lower portion of the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b>.
The secondary transfer roller <b>31</b> performs a secondary-transfer process to transfer the multi-color image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> onto a sheet P supplied from the sheet supply tray <b>7</b>. Thereafter, while the sheet P on which the multi-color image has been formed passes through between the heating roller <b>37</b> and the pressurizing roller <b>38</b>, the fixing unit <b>13</b> thermally fixes the multi-color image onto the sheet P. Subsequently, the sheet P on which the multi-color image has been fixed is discharged to the sheet discharge tray <b>41</b> by means of various rollers.
2. Details of Drawer
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, the drawer <b>15</b> has a substantially rectangular frame shape in a plan view and includes a first side frame <b>68</b>R, a second side frame <b>68</b>L, five beam members <b>69</b>, a front beam <b>70</b>, a rear beam <b>71</b>, and four first biasing parts <b>72</b>R, and four second biasing parts <b>72</b>L.
(1) Side Frame
The first side frame <b>68</b>R is disposed at a right end portion of the drawer <b>15</b>. The second side frame <b>68</b>L is disposed at a left end portion of the drawer <b>15</b>. The first side frame <b>68</b>R and the second side frame <b>68</b>L are disposed at the same vertical position.
The first side frame <b>68</b>R is formed of a hard resin material and has a substantially bar shape, more specifically, a substantially rectangular columnar shape, extending in the forward/rearward direction. The first side frame <b>68</b>R has, in a left surface thereof, five fitting holes <b>74</b> disposed spaced apart from one another in the forward/rearward direction. The first side frame <b>68</b>R has a vertical dimension L<b>1</b> in the vertical direction, a leftward/rightward dimension L<b>2</b> in the leftward/rightward direction, and a forward/rearward dimension L<b>3</b> in the forward/rearward direction. The vertical dimension L<b>1</b> and leftward/rightward dimension L<b>2</b> are shorter than the forward/rearward dimension L<b>3</b>. The vertical dimension L<b>1</b> is shorter than the leftward/rightward dimension L<b>2</b>. The five fitting holes <b>74</b> of the first side frame <b>68</b>R each have a substantially rectangular shape in a side view and are each recessed to the right from the left surface of the first side frame <b>68</b>R.
The second side frame <b>68</b>L has the same configuration as that of the first side frame <b>68</b>R except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed.
(2) Beam Member
The five beam members <b>69</b> are disposed between the first side frame <b>68</b>R and the left side frame <b>68</b>L at an equal interval from one another in the forward/rearward direction. The beam member <b>69</b> is formed of a metal material having a relatively high rigidity, such as a stainless steel and has a substantially bar shape, more specifically, a substantially rectangular columnar shape, extending in the leftward/rightward direction.
A right end portion of the beam member <b>69</b> is fitted into the fitting hole <b>74</b> of the first side frame <b>68</b>R. A left end portion of the beam member <b>69</b> is fitted into the fitting hole <b>74</b> of the second side frame <b>68</b>L. As a result, the beam member <b>69</b> connects the first side frame <b>68</b>R and the second side frame <b>68</b>L in the leftward/rightward direction. A space between the first side frame <b>68</b>R and the left side frame <b>68</b>L is divided into four sections in the forward/rearward direction by the five beam members <b>69</b>. In other words, four insertion openings <b>15</b>A are defined between the first side frame <b>68</b>R and the second side frame <b>68</b>L.
(3) Front Beam and Rear Beam
The front beam <b>70</b> is disposed between a front end portion of the first side frame <b>68</b>R and a front end portion of the second side frame <b>68</b>L at a position forward of the frontmost beam member <b>69</b>. The front beam <b>70</b> is formed of a hard resin material and has a substantially rectangular columnar shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction. A right end portion of the front beam <b>70</b> is continuous to the front end portion of the first side frame <b>68</b>R. A left end portion of the front beam <b>70</b> is continuous to the front end portion of the second side frame <b>68</b>L.
The rear beam <b>71</b> is disposed between a rear end portion of the first side frame <b>68</b>R and a rear end portion of the second side frame <b>68</b>L at a position rearward of the rearmost beam member <b>69</b>. The rear beam <b>71</b> is formed of a hard resin material and has a substantially rectangular columnar shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction. A right end portion of the rear beam <b>71</b> is continuous to the rear end portion of the first side frame <b>68</b>R. A left end portion of the rear beam <b>71</b> is continuous to the rear end portion of the second side frame <b>68</b>L.
(4) Biasing Part
The four first biasing parts <b>72</b>R are disposed on an upper surface of the first side frame <b>68</b>R, spaced apart from one another in the forward/rearward direction. The four second biasing parts <b>72</b>L are disposed on an upper surface of the second side frame <b>68</b>L, spaced apart from one another in the forward/rearward direction. Each of the four first biasing parts <b>72</b>R and each of the four second biasing parts <b>72</b>L are disposed spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction with each of the four insertion openings <b>15</b>A interposed therebetween.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, each first biasing part <b>72</b>R includes: an accommodation concave part <b>75</b>; a guide part <b>76</b> (an example of a first guide part); an advance/retract part <b>77</b> (an example of a first advance/retract part); and two biasing members <b>78</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the accommodation concave part <b>75</b> has a substantially rectangular shape in a side view extending in the forward/rearward direction and is recessed downward from the upper surface of the first side frame <b>68</b>R.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, the guide part <b>76</b> is disposed on the upper surface of the first side frame <b>68</b>R so as to surround the accommodation concave part <b>75</b> in a plan view. The guide part <b>76</b> integrally includes a frame part <b>76</b>A and two restricting projections <b>76</b>B. On the upper surface of the first side frame <b>68</b>R, the frame part <b>76</b>A protrudes upward from the entire periphery of the accommodation concave part <b>75</b>.
The two restricting projections <b>76</b>B are disposed at an upper end portion of the guide part <b>76</b>, spaced apart from each other in the forward/rearward direction. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the front one of the two restricting projections <b>76</b>B protrudes rearward from an upper end portion of a front wall constituting the frame part <b>76</b>A. The rear one of the two restricting projections <b>76</b>B protrudes forward from an upper end portion of a rear wall constituting the frame part <b>76</b>A. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, a left end portion of each restricting projection <b>76</b>B is connected to an upper end portion of a left side wall constituting the frame part <b>76</b>A. A right end portion of each restricting projection <b>76</b>B is connected to an upper end portion of a right side wall constituting the frame part <b>76</b>A.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the advance/retract part <b>77</b> is accommodated in a space defined by the accommodation concave part <b>75</b> and the guide part <b>76</b>. The advance/retract part <b>77</b> integrally includes a contact portion <b>77</b>A and two restricting portions <b>77</b>B.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, the contact portion <b>77</b>A is disposed between the two restricting projections <b>76</b>B in the forward/rearward direction. The contact portion <b>77</b>A has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the forward/rearward direction in a plan view and, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, a substantially concave shape opened downward in a side view. An upper surface <b>77</b>C (an example of a third contact surface) of the contact portion <b>77</b>A (an example of a first contact portion) faces upward and extends both in the leftward/rightward and frontward/rearward directions.
The front one (an example of a first restricting portion) of the two restricting portions <b>77</b>B is disposed at a front end portion of the advance/retract part <b>77</b> and at a front end portion of the first biasing part <b>72</b>R. The rear one (an example of a second restricting portion) of the two restricting portions <b>77</b>B is disposed at a rear end portion of the advance/retract part <b>77</b> and at a rear end portion of the first biasing part <b>72</b>R. The front restricting portion <b>77</b>B protrudes forward from a lower end portion of a front wall constituting the contact portion <b>77</b>A. The rear restricting portion <b>77</b>B protrudes rearward from a lower end portion of a rear wall constituting the contact portion <b>77</b>A. The two restricting portions <b>77</b>B are disposed below the two restricting projections <b>76</b>B, respectively.
The front one (an example of a first biasing member) of the two biasing members <b>78</b> is a compression spring disposed in a compressed state at a front end portion in the contact portion <b>77</b>A. The rear one (an example of a second biasing member) of the two biasing members <b>78</b> is a compression spring disposed in a compressed state at a rear end portion in the contact portion <b>77</b>A. The front and rear biasing members <b>78</b> are disposed in the forward/rearward direction with a center C of the process cartridge <b>14</b> interposed therebetween in a side view. The compression spring is a coil spring extending in the vertical direction. An upper end portion of the biasing member <b>78</b> contacts a lower surface of an upper wall constituting the contact portion <b>77</b>A, and a lower end portion thereof contacts a bottom surface of the accommodation concave part <b>75</b>. As a result, the two biasing members <b>78</b> bias the advance/retract part <b>77</b> upward.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref>, the second biasing part <b>72</b>L has the same configuration as that of the first biasing part <b>72</b>R except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed. The second biasing part <b>72</b>L includes an accommodation concave part <b>75</b>, a guide part <b>76</b> (an example of a second guide part), an advance/retract part <b>77</b> (an example of a second advance/retract part), a front biasing member <b>78</b> (an example of a third biasing member), and a rear biasing member <b>78</b> (an example of a fourth biasing member). The advance/retract part <b>77</b> includes: a contact portion <b>77</b>A (an example of a second contact portion) having an upper surface <b>77</b>C (an example of a fourth contact surface); a front restricting portion <b>77</b>B (an example of a third restricting portion); and a rear restricting portion <b>77</b>B (an example of a fourth restricting portion).
3. Details of Process Cartridge
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, the process cartridge <b>14</b> includes a cartridge frame <b>44</b>, a photosensitive drum <b>18</b>, a charge roller <b>22</b>, a developing unit <b>29</b>, a cartridge electrode <b>46</b>, a drum cleaning unit <b>45</b>, a first engagement rib <b>56</b>A, a second engagement rib <b>56</b>B, a first pressing unit <b>57</b>R, and a second pressing unit <b>57</b>L. The frontmost one of the four process cartridges <b>14</b> further includes a belt cleaning unit <b>62</b>.
(1) Cartridge Frame
The cartridge frame <b>44</b> has a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction. The cartridge frame <b>44</b> has a vertical dimension L<b>5</b> in the vertical direction. The vertical dimension L<b>5</b> of the cartridge frame <b>44</b> is longer than the vertical dimension L<b>1</b> of the first side frame <b>68</b>R. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref>, the cartridge frame <b>44</b> includes a first side wall <b>48</b>R, a second side wall <b>48</b>L, and a bottom wall <b>49</b>.
The first side wall <b>48</b>R is disposed at a right end portion of the cartridge frame <b>44</b>. The second side wall <b>48</b>L is disposed at a left end portion of the cartridge frame <b>44</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, the first side wall <b>48</b>R has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a side view. The first side wall <b>48</b>R includes a flange insertion port <b>51</b>, an engagement part <b>52</b>, and a protruding part <b>53</b> (an example of a first protruding part).
The flange insertion port <b>51</b> is disposed in a substantial center, in the forward/rearward direction, of an upper portion of the first side wall <b>48</b>R. The flange insertion port <b>51</b> has a substantially circular shape in a side view and penetrates the first side wall <b>48</b>R in the leftward/rightward direction.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the engagement part <b>52</b> is disposed on a right surface of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and has a substantially cylindrical shape protruding rightward from the entire periphery of the flange insertion port <b>51</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, the protruding part <b>53</b> is disposed in a substantial center, in the vertical direction, of a right surface of the first side wall <b>48</b>R. The protruding part <b>53</b> is disposed below the engagement part <b>52</b> and spaced apart from the engagement part <b>52</b>. The protruding part <b>53</b> is disposed overlapping with the center C of the process cartridge <b>14</b> as viewed in the leftward/rightward direction.
The center C of the process cartridge <b>14</b> is an intersection between a diagonal line D<b>1</b> connecting an upper rear corner point and a lower front corner point of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and a diagonal line D<b>2</b> connecting a lower rear corner point and an upper front corner point of the first side wall <b>48</b>R.
The protruding part <b>53</b> has a substantially plate shape extending in the forward/rearward direction and overlapping with a center axis of the engagement part <b>52</b> as viewed in the vertical direction. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the protruding part <b>53</b> protrudes rightward from the right surface of the first side wall <b>48</b>R. A protruding amount of the protruding part <b>53</b> (the dimension of the protruding part <b>53</b> in the leftward/rightward direction) is shorter than a protruding amount of the engagement part <b>52</b> (the dimension of the engagement part <b>52</b> in the leftward/rightward direction). A lower surface <b>53</b>A (an example of a first contact surface) of the protruding part <b>53</b> faces downward and extends in both the leftward/rightward direction and the forward/rearward direction.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref>, the second side wall <b>48</b>L has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a side view. The second side wall <b>48</b>L includes a flange insertion port <b>51</b>, an engagement part <b>52</b>, a protruding part <b>53</b> (an example of a second protruding part) including a lower surface <b>53</b>A (an example of a second contact surface), and an electrode opening part <b>54</b>. The flange insertion port <b>51</b>, the engagement part <b>52</b>, and the protruding part <b>53</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L have the same configurations as those of the first side wall <b>48</b>R, respectively, except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed.
The electrode opening part <b>54</b> is disposed at a front end portion of a lower portion of the second side wall <b>48</b>L. The electrode opening part <b>54</b> has a substantially ellipsoidal shape in a side view extending in a direction connecting the upper front side to lower rear side and penetrates the second side wall <b>48</b>L in the leftward/rightward direction.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the bottom wall <b>49</b> is provided between a lower end portion of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and a lower end portion of the second side wall <b>48</b>L and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a bottom view. The bottom wall <b>49</b> has a laser passing port <b>55</b> at a rear portion thereof. The laser passing port <b>55</b> penetrates the bottom wall <b>49</b> in the vertical direction.
In each of the process cartridges <b>14</b> excluding the frontmost process cartridge <b>14</b>, the cartridge frame <b>44</b> further includes a front wall <b>50</b>.
The front wall <b>50</b> is provided between a lower portion of a front end portion of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and a lower portion of a front end portion of the second side wall <b>48</b>L and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a front view. A lower end portion of the front wall <b>50</b> is connected to a front end portion of the bottom wall <b>49</b>.
(2) Photosensitive Drum
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 4</figref>, the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> is disposed in a substantial center, in the forward/rearward direction, in an upper end portion of the process cartridge <b>14</b>. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> includes a drum body <b>19</b>, a first flange <b>20</b>R, and a second flange <b>20</b>L.
The drum body <b>19</b> has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction. The drum body <b>19</b> has a photosensitive layer disposed on the surface thereof.
The first flange <b>20</b>R is disposed at a right end portion of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>. The first flange <b>20</b>R integrally includes a first part <b>20</b>A and a second part <b>20</b>B. The first part <b>20</b>A constitutes a left-side part of the first flange <b>20</b>R and has a substantially columnar shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction. An outer diameter of the first part <b>20</b>A is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the drum body <b>19</b>.
The second part <b>20</b>B constitutes a right-side part of the first flange <b>20</b>R. The second part <b>20</b>B has a substantially columnar shape sharing a center axis with the first part <b>20</b>A and extends rightward from a right end face of the first part <b>20</b>A. An outer diameter of the second part <b>20</b>B is smaller than the outer diameter of the first part <b>20</b>A and substantially equal to an inner diameter of the flange insertion port <b>51</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, the first flange <b>20</b>R includes a coupling concave part <b>21</b> and a pair of projections <b>39</b>.
The coupling concave part <b>21</b> is disposed at a right end face of the second part <b>20</b>B of the first flange <b>20</b>R. The coupling concave part <b>21</b> has a substantially circular shape in a side view and is recessed leftward from the right end face of the second part <b>20</b>B.
The pair of projections <b>39</b> are disposed in the coupling concave part <b>21</b>, spaced apart from each other in a radial direction of the coupling concave part <b>21</b>. The projections <b>39</b> each have a rectangular shape in a side view and each project inward in the radial direction from an inner peripheral surface of the coupling concave part <b>21</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the first flange <b>20</b>R is supported by the drum body <b>19</b> with the first part <b>20</b>A inserted into a right end portion of the drum body <b>19</b> so as not to be rotatable relative to the drum body <b>19</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, the thus configured photosensitive drum <b>18</b> is supported by the first side wall <b>48</b>R so as to be rotatable relative to the first side wall <b>48</b>R about a center axis A of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>, with the second part <b>20</b>B of the first flange <b>20</b>R inserted into the flange insertion port <b>51</b> and supported by the engagement part <b>52</b>. When being projected in the vertical direction, the center axis A of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> overlaps with a rear portion of the protruding part <b>53</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the second flange <b>20</b>L is disposed at a left end portion of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>. The second flange <b>20</b>L has the same configuration as that of the first flange <b>20</b>R except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed and that the second flange <b>20</b>L does not include the coupling concave part <b>21</b> or pair of the projections <b>39</b>.
(3) Charge Roller and Developing Unit
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the charge roller <b>22</b> is disposed at the lower rear of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>. An upper front end portion of the charge roller <b>22</b> contacts a lower rear end portion of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>.
The developing unit <b>29</b> is disposed at the lower front of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>. The developing unit <b>29</b> includes a developing frame <b>23</b>, a developing roller <b>24</b>, a supply roller <b>25</b>, a layer thickness regulating blade <b>26</b>, a first agitator <b>27</b>, and a second agitator <b>28</b>.
The developing frame <b>23</b> has a substantially hollow shape whose left and right end portions are closed and configured to accommodate toner therein. The developing roller <b>24</b> carries the toner on a surface thereof and supplies the toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>. The supply roller <b>25</b> supplies the toner in the developing frame <b>23</b> to the developing roller <b>24</b>. The layer thickness regulating blade <b>26</b> regulates a thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller <b>24</b>. The first agitator <b>27</b> agitates the toner in the developing frame <b>23</b> and supplies the toner to the supply roller <b>25</b>. The second agitator <b>28</b> agitates the toner in the developing frame <b>23</b> and supplies the toner to the first agitator <b>27</b>.
(4) Cartridge Electrode
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2C and 6</figref>, the cartridge electrode <b>46</b> supplies electric power from a power supply unit <b>9</b> (to be described later) to the developing roller <b>24</b> and the supply roller <b>25</b>. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the cartridge electrode <b>46</b> is disposed on a left surface of a left side wall constituting the developing frame <b>23</b> and has an electrical contact part <b>46</b>A.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref>, the electrical contact part <b>46</b>A has a substantially ellipsoidal shape in a side view extending in a direction connecting the upper front side to lower rear side. The electrical contact part <b>46</b>A is inserted through the electrode opening part <b>54</b> to be exposed from the second side wall <b>48</b>L. A left end face of the electrical contact part <b>46</b>A and a left surface of the second side wall <b>48</b>L are substantially flush with each other.
(5) Drum Cleaning Unit
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the drum cleaning unit <b>45</b> is configured to collect waste toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>. The drum cleaning unit <b>45</b> is disposed rearward of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> at a rear end portion of the process cartridge <b>14</b>. The drum cleaning unit <b>45</b> includes a frame <b>59</b> and a cleaning blade <b>60</b>.
The frame <b>59</b> is disposed between the rear end portion of the first side frame <b>48</b>R and the rear end portion of the second side frame <b>48</b>L and has a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction. A right end portion of the frame <b>59</b> is closed by the first side wall <b>48</b>R, and a left end portion of the frame <b>59</b> is closed by the second side wall <b>48</b>L. The frame <b>59</b> has an opening <b>59</b>A at a portion thereof facing the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>.
The cleaning blade <b>60</b> has a substantially plate shape extending in the vertical direction. A lower end portion of the cleaning blade <b>60</b> is fixed to a lower periphery of the opening <b>59</b>A of the frame <b>59</b>, and an upper end portion of the cleaning blade <b>60</b> contacts a rear end portion of the drum body <b>19</b> of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>.
(6) Belt Cleaning Unit
The belt cleaning unit <b>62</b> is configured to collect waste toner from a surface of the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b>. The belt cleaning unit <b>62</b> is disposed at a front end portion of the frontmost process cartridge <b>14</b> and forward of the developing unit <b>29</b>. The belt cleaning unit <b>62</b> includes a frame <b>63</b>, a primary roller <b>64</b>, a secondary roller <b>65</b>, and a cleaning blade <b>66</b>.
The frame <b>63</b> is disposed between the front end portion of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and the front end portion of the second side wall <b>48</b>L and has substantially a rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction. A right end portion of the frame <b>63</b> is closed by the first side wall <b>48</b>R, and a left end portion of the frame <b>63</b> is closed by the second side wall <b>48</b>L. The frame <b>63</b> has an opening <b>63</b>A at an upper rear portion thereof.
The primary roller <b>64</b> is disposed below the opposing roller <b>36</b> so as to sandwich the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> between the primary roller <b>64</b> and opposing roller <b>36</b>. The secondary roller <b>65</b> is disposed at the lower front of the primary roller <b>64</b> and at the upper rear of the opening <b>63</b>A. An upper rear end portion of the secondary roller <b>65</b> contacts a lower front end portion of the primary roller <b>64</b>.
The cleaning blade <b>66</b> has a substantially plate shape extending in a direction connecting the upper front side to lower rear side. An upper front end portion of the cleaning blade <b>66</b> is fixed to an upper periphery of the opening <b>63</b>A of the frame <b>63</b>, and a lower rear end portion of the cleaning blade <b>66</b> contacts a lower front end portion of the secondary roller <b>65</b>.
(7) Engagement Rib
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the first engagement rib <b>56</b>A is disposed at a front end portion of the process cartridge <b>14</b>. The second engagement rib <b>56</b>B is disposed at a rear end portion of the process cartridge <b>14</b>. The first engagement rib <b>56</b>A and the second engagement rib <b>56</b>B are disposed at the same vertical position.
More in detail, in the frontmost process cartridge <b>14</b>, the first engagement rib <b>56</b>A is continued from a substantial center, in the vertical direction, of a front surface of the frame <b>63</b> of the belt cleaning unit <b>62</b> and protrudes forward, and the second engagement rib <b>56</b>B is continued from a substantial center, in the vertical direction, of a rear surface of the frame <b>59</b> of the drum cleaning unit <b>45</b> and protrudes rearward.
On the other hand, in each of the process cartridges <b>14</b> other than the frontmost process cartridge <b>14</b>, the first engagement rib <b>56</b>A is continued from an upper end portion of the front wall <b>50</b> and protrudes forward, and the second engagement rib <b>56</b>B is continued from a substantial center, in the vertical direction, of the rear surface of the frame <b>59</b> of the drum cleaning unit <b>45</b> and protrudes rearward.
(8) Pressing Unit
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R is disposed at a right end portion of the process cartridge <b>14</b>. Further, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref>, the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L is disposed at a left end portion of the process cartridge <b>14</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R includes two pressed parts <b>57</b>R<b>2</b>. The two pressed parts <b>57</b>R<b>2</b> are disposed spaced apart from each other in the forward/rearward direction so as to sandwich the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> therebetween as viewed in the leftward/rightward direction. Each pressed part <b>57</b>R<b>2</b> includes: a support frame <b>81</b>; an abutted part <b>82</b> (an example of a first abutted part); and a biasing member <b>83</b> (an example of a first cartridge biasing member).
The support frame <b>81</b> is disposed at an upper end portion of the left surface of the first side wall <b>48</b>R. The support frame <b>81</b> has a substantially concave shape in a side view opened upward. The support frame <b>81</b> is continued from the left surface of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and protrudes leftward. A left end portion of the support frame <b>81</b> is closed. The support frame <b>81</b> includes two engagement projections <b>81</b>A.
The two engagement projections <b>81</b>A are disposed at an upper end portion of the support frame <b>81</b>, spaced apart from each other in the forward/rearward direction. The front one of the two engagement projections <b>81</b>A is continued from an upper end portion of a front wall constituting the support frame <b>81</b> and protrudes rearward. The rear one of the two engagement projections <b>81</b>A is continued from an upper end portion of a rear wall constituting the support frame <b>81</b> and protrudes forward.
The abutted part <b>82</b> is supported by the support frame <b>81</b> so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The abutted part <b>82</b> integrally includes a cylindrical part <b>82</b>A, a circular arc part <b>82</b>B, and two restricting projections <b>82</b>C.
The cylindrical part <b>82</b>A has a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The circular arc part <b>82</b>B closes an upper end portion of the cylindrical part <b>82</b>A. The circular arc part <b>82</b>B has a substantially semicircular arc shape in a side view protruding upward. The front one of the two restricting projections <b>82</b>C is continued from a lower end portion of a front wall constituting the cylindrical part <b>82</b>A and protrudes forward. The rear one of the two restricting projections <b>82</b>C is continued from a lower end portion of a rear wall constituting the cylindrical part <b>82</b>A and protrudes rearward.
The abutted part <b>82</b> is inserted into the support frame <b>81</b> such that the two restricting projections <b>82</b>C are positioned below the two engagement projections <b>81</b>A, respectively.
As a result, the abutted part <b>82</b> can be moved in the vertical direction between an advanced position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>) and a retracted position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>). That is, the abutted part <b>82</b> can move: upward, i.e., to the transfer unit <b>12</b> side until the restricting projections <b>82</b>C contact the engagement projections <b>81</b>A from below; and downward, i.e., to the exposure unit <b>11</b> side such that the cylindrical part <b>82</b>A is accommodated inside the support frame <b>81</b>. When the abutted part <b>82</b> is at the retracted position, the abutted part <b>82</b> is positioned nearer to the exposure unit <b>11</b> than when the abutted part <b>82</b> is at the advanced position.
The biasing member <b>83</b> is a coil spring extending in the vertical direction and has a resilient force. The biasing member <b>83</b> is disposed in a compressed state between a bottom wall constituting the support frame <b>81</b> and the circular arc part <b>82</b>B of the abutted part <b>82</b>. A lower end portion of the biasing member <b>83</b> contacts an upper surface of the bottom wall of the support frame <b>81</b>, and an upper end portion of the biasing member <b>83</b> contacts a lower surface of the circular are part <b>82</b>B. The biasing member <b>83</b> is accommodated in the cylindrical part <b>82</b>A so as to contact an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part <b>82</b>A of the abutted part <b>82</b>.
With this configuration, the abutted part <b>82</b> is always biased toward the advanced position by the biasing member <b>83</b>. In a state where the front cover <b>6</b> is situated at the closed position, the abutted part <b>82</b> is abutted by a first pressing member <b>131</b>R (to be described later) from above so as to be pressed downward against the biasing force of the biasing member <b>83</b> and situated at the retracted position.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref>, the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L includes two pressed parts <b>57</b>L<b>2</b>. Each pressed part <b>57</b>L<b>2</b> includes: a support frame <b>81</b>; an abutted part <b>82</b> (an example of a second abutted part); and a biasing member <b>83</b> (an example of a second cartridge biasing member). The second pressing unit <b>57</b>L has the same configuration as that of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed.
(9) Mounted State of Process Cartridge to Drawer
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the process cartridge <b>14</b> is inserted through the insertion opening <b>15</b>A of the drawer <b>15</b> in the vertical direction such that the lower surface <b>53</b>A of the protruding part <b>53</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R contacts from above the upper surface <b>77</b>C of the contact portion <b>77</b>A of the first biasing part <b>72</b>R and that the lower surface <b>53</b>A of the protruding part <b>53</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L contacts from above the upper surface <b>77</b>C of the contact portion <b>77</b>A of the second biasing part <b>72</b>L.
Thus, the four process cartridges <b>14</b> are supported by the drawer <b>15</b> so as to be disposed between the first side frame <b>68</b>R and the second side frame <b>68</b>L in the leftward/rightward direction. A lower part of the process cartridge <b>14</b> is exposed from the drawer <b>15</b> at an area below the drawer <b>15</b>, and an upper part of the process cartridge <b>14</b> is exposed from the drawer <b>15</b> at an area above the drawer <b>15</b>.
The process cartridge <b>14</b> is configured to be linearly movable in the vertical direction between an engagement position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 5</figref>) and an engagement released position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 10</figref>) located above the engagement position. The engagement position is a position at which, in a state where the process cartridge <b>14</b> is supported by the drawer <b>15</b>, the first engagement rib <b>56</b>A contacts from above the beam member <b>69</b> positioned forward of the process cartridge <b>14</b>, and the second engagement rib <b>56</b>B contacts from above the beam member <b>69</b> positioned rearward of the process cartridge <b>14</b>. The engagement released position is a position at which the first engagement rib <b>56</b>A is separated upward from the beam member <b>69</b> positioned forward of the process cartridge <b>14</b>, and the second engagement rib <b>56</b>B is separated upward from the beam member <b>69</b> positioned rearward of the process cartridge <b>14</b>. In other words, while being supported by the drawer <b>15</b>, the process cartridge <b>14</b> can be moved between an upstream position and a downstream position relative to each other in a separating direction X (upward direction), wherein the separating direction X is a direction in which the process cartridge <b>14</b> is separated from the drawer <b>15</b> as indicated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5, 10, and 12</figref>. The process cartridge <b>14</b> is positioned at the upstream position in a state of being situated at the engagement position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>) and at the downstream position in a state of being situated at the engagement released position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>).
The process cartridge <b>14</b> is always biased toward the engagement released position, i.e., the belt unit <b>30</b> by the first biasing part <b>72</b>R and the second biasing part <b>72</b>L.
In a state where the abutted parts <b>82</b> are situated at the retracted position, the process cartridge <b>14</b> is pressed downward by the biasing force of the two biasing members <b>83</b> in the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R and the two biasing members <b>83</b> in the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L, against the biasing force of the two biasing members <b>78</b> in the first biasing part <b>72</b>R and the two biasing members <b>78</b> in the second biasing part <b>72</b>L which are provided to the drawer <b>15</b>.
4. Details of Main Casing
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the main casing <b>2</b> includes a first inner wall <b>85</b>R, a second inner wall <b>85</b>L, a connecting plate <b>88</b>, a first positioning member <b>89</b>R, a second positioning member <b>89</b>L, a first guide rail <b>94</b>R, and a second guide rail <b>94</b>L.
(1) Inner Wall
The first inner wall <b>85</b>R is disposed at a right end portion of the main casing <b>2</b>. The second inner wall <b>85</b>L is disposed at a left end portion of the main casing <b>2</b>. That is, the first inner wall <b>85</b>R and the second inner wall <b>85</b>L are disposed spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction so as to sandwich therebetween the exposure unit <b>11</b>, the drawer <b>15</b> supporting the process cartridges <b>14</b>, and the transfer unit <b>12</b>.
The first inner wall <b>85</b>R has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a side view extending in the forward/rearward direction and includes a concave part <b>85</b>A and four insertion holes <b>85</b>B.
The concave part <b>85</b>A is disposed at an upper portion of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R. The concave part <b>85</b>A has a substantially concave shape in a front view opened rightward and recessed leftward from a right surface of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R. The concave part <b>85</b>A extends over the entire area of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R in the front-right direction.
The four insertion holes <b>85</b>B are disposed spaced apart from one another in the forward/rearward direction as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> at a part of the upper portion of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R that is below the concave part <b>85</b>A.
Each insertion hole <b>85</b>B has a substantially circular shape in a side view and penetrates the first inner wall <b>85</b>R in the leftward/rightward direction.
In a state where the drawer <b>15</b> supporting the process cartridges <b>14</b> is situated at the internal position, each insertion hole <b>85</b>B faces the coupling concave part <b>21</b> of the corresponding photosensitive drum <b>18</b> in the leftward/rightward direction.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the second inner wall <b>85</b>L has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a side view extending in the forward/rearward direction and includes a concave part <b>85</b>A. The concave part <b>85</b>A of the second inner wall <b>85</b>L has the same configuration as that of the concave part <b>85</b>A of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed.
(2) Connecting Plate
The connecting plate <b>88</b> is disposed between the exposure unit <b>11</b> and the process cartridge <b>14</b> in the vertical direction, and bridges between a lower portion of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R and a lower portion of the second inner wall <b>85</b>L in the leftward/rightward direction. A lower surface of the connecting plate <b>88</b> is connected to an upper end portion of the exposure unit <b>11</b>.
The connecting plate <b>88</b> is formed of a metal and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a plan view. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the connecting plate <b>88</b> has four laser passing holes <b>90</b>.
The four laser passing holes <b>90</b> are disposed spaced apart from one another in the forward/rearward direction. Each laser passing hole <b>90</b> penetrates the connecting plate <b>88</b> in the vertical direction and has a shape and a size allowing a laser beam to pass therethrough.
(3) Positioning Member
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the first positioning member <b>89</b>R is disposed at the right end portion of the main casing <b>2</b>. The second positioning member <b>89</b>L is disposed at the left end portion of the main casing <b>2</b>. That is, the first positioning member <b>89</b>R and the second positioning member <b>89</b>L are disposed on an upper surface of the connecting plate <b>88</b>, spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction so as to sandwich the drawer <b>15</b> therebetween.
The first positioning member <b>89</b>R is disposed below the engagement part <b>52</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R. That is, the first positioning member <b>89</b>R is disposed at the exposure unit <b>11</b> side relative to the second part <b>20</b>B of the first flange <b>20</b>R of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>.
The first positioning member <b>89</b>R is formed of a metal and is in a plate shape having a substantially L-shape in a front view. The first positioning member <b>89</b>R extends in the forward/rearward direction. More in detail, the first positioning member <b>89</b>R integrally includes a body part <b>89</b>A and a connecting part <b>89</b>B.
The body part <b>89</b>A has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a side view extending in the forward/rearward direction and is disposed leftward of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R, spaced apart therefrom. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 12</figref>, the body part <b>89</b>A includes four positioning concave parts <b>93</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, the four positioning concave parts <b>93</b> are disposed on an upper end portion of the body part <b>89</b>A, spaced apart from one another in the forward/rearward direction. Each positioning concave part <b>93</b> has a substantially trapezoidal shape in a side view whose width is reduced toward the bottom and recessed downward from the upper end edge of the body part <b>89</b>A. The positioning concave part <b>93</b> has a shape following an outer peripheral surface of the engagement part <b>52</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the connecting part <b>89</b>B is positioned at a lower end portion of the first positioning member <b>89</b>R. The connecting part <b>89</b>B is continued from a lower end portion of the body part <b>89</b>A and protrudes leftward. The connecting part <b>89</b>B has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a plan view extending in the forward/rearward direction.
The second positioning member <b>89</b>L has the same configuration as that of the first positioning member <b>89</b>R except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed. That is, the first positioning member <b>89</b>R and the second positioning member <b>89</b>L are configured such that the four positioning concave parts <b>93</b> of the first positioning member <b>89</b>R and four positioning concave parts <b>93</b> of the second positioning member <b>89</b>L coincide with each other as viewed in the leftward/rightward direction.
The first positioning member <b>89</b>R is supported by the connecting plate <b>88</b> with the connecting part <b>89</b>B connected to a right end portion of the connecting plate <b>88</b>. The second positioning member <b>89</b>L is supported by the connecting plate <b>88</b> with the connecting part <b>89</b>B connected to a left end portion of the connecting plate <b>88</b>. That is, the first positioning member <b>89</b>R, the second positioning member <b>89</b>L, and the exposure unit <b>11</b> are connected through the connecting plate <b>88</b>.
In a state where the process cartridge <b>14</b> is situated at the engagement position, the positioning concave part <b>93</b> receives a lower end portion of the engagement part <b>52</b> of the process cartridge <b>14</b>, and contacts from below the lower end portion of the engagement part <b>52</b>. As a result, the second part <b>20</b>B of the first flange <b>20</b>R is engaged with the positioning concave part <b>93</b> of the first positioning member <b>89</b>R through the engagement part <b>52</b>, and the second part <b>20</b>B of the second flange <b>20</b>L is engaged with the positioning concave part <b>93</b> of the second positioning member <b>89</b>L through the engagement part <b>52</b>. The photosensitive drum <b>18</b> is positioned by the first positioning member <b>89</b>R and the second positioning member <b>89</b>L.
(4) Guide Rail
The first guide rail <b>94</b>R is disposed at the right end portion of the main casing <b>2</b>. The second guide rail <b>94</b>L is disposed at the left end portion of the main casing <b>2</b>. That is, the first guide rail <b>94</b>R and the second guide rail <b>94</b>L are disposed spaced part from each other in the leftward/rightward direction and coincide with each other as viewed in the leftward/rightward direction.
The first guide rail <b>94</b>R is fixed to a left surface of the body part <b>89</b>A of the first positioning member <b>89</b>R so that the first guide rail <b>94</b>R is disposed below the engagement part <b>52</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R of the process cartridge <b>14</b> and spaced apart from the engagement part <b>52</b>.
The first guide rail <b>94</b>R has a substantially rectangular columnar shape extending in the forward/rearward direction and includes a guide groove <b>95</b> and two guide rollers <b>96</b>.
The guide groove <b>95</b> has a substantially concave shape opened leftward and recessed rightward from a left surface of the guide rail <b>94</b>. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the guide groove <b>95</b> extends over substantially the entire area of the first guide rail <b>94</b>R in the front-right direction. A rear end portion of the guide groove <b>95</b> is closed, while a front end portion thereof is opened.
The two guide rollers <b>96</b> are disposed to be aligned in the forward/rearward direction on a lower surface of the front end portion of the guide groove <b>95</b>. Each guide roller <b>96</b> is rotatable about its axis extending in the leftward/rightward direction. An upper end portion of each guide roller <b>96</b> is exposed from a lower surface of the guide groove <b>95</b>.
The guide groove <b>95</b> of the first guide rail <b>94</b>R receives a right end portion of the first side frame <b>68</b>R of the drawer <b>15</b> so as to allow the right end portion of the first side frame <b>68</b>R to slide in the forward/rearward direction.
The second guide rail <b>94</b>L has the same configuration as that of the first guide rail <b>94</b>R except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed.
5. Drive Unit and Power Supply Unit
The image forming section <b>3</b> includes a drive unit <b>8</b> and a power supply unit <b>9</b>.
(1) Drive Unit
The drive unit <b>8</b> is configured to input a drive force to the four photosensitive drums <b>18</b> and disposed on a right surface of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the drive unit <b>8</b> includes a frame <b>86</b>, a drive cam <b>99</b>, four drive input members <b>98</b>, and a compression spring <b>100</b>.
The frame <b>86</b> is supported by the first inner wall <b>85</b>R. The drive cam <b>99</b> is housed in the frame <b>86</b>. The drive cam <b>99</b> is movable in the forward/rearward direction between: a pressing position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>) at which the drive cam <b>99</b> presses the four drive input members <b>98</b> rightward; and a pressing release position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>) at which the drive cam <b>99</b> releases pressing against the four drive input members <b>98</b>. In a state where the front cover <b>6</b> is situated at the closed position, the drive cam <b>99</b> is abutted, at its front end portion, against a first cam abutment part <b>145</b>R (to be described later) of the front cover <b>6</b> to be pressed rearward and to be situated at the pressing release position.
Each drive input member <b>98</b> includes a drive coupling <b>103</b>. The drive coupling <b>103</b> is movable in the leftward/rightward direction between: a drive transmission position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>) at which the drive coupling <b>103</b> is engaged with the coupling concave part <b>21</b> of the corresponding photosensitive drum <b>18</b>; and a drive transmission release position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>) at which the engagement with the coupling concave part <b>21</b> of the corresponding photosensitive drum <b>18</b> is released. The compression spring <b>100</b> always biases the drive cam <b>99</b> forward toward the pressing position.
(2) Power Supply Unit
The power supply unit <b>9</b> is configured to supply electric power to the four developing units <b>29</b> and is disposed on a right surface of the second inner wall <b>85</b>L. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the power supply unit <b>9</b> includes a frame <b>87</b>, a board <b>115</b>, a power supply cam <b>117</b>, four power supply members <b>116</b>, and a compression spring <b>118</b>.
The frame <b>87</b> is supported by the second inner wall <b>85</b>L. The board <b>115</b> is configured to supply power to the four power supply members <b>116</b>. The power supply cam <b>117</b> is movable in the forward/rearward direction between: a pressing position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>) at which the power supply cam <b>117</b> presses leftward the power supply members <b>116</b>; and a pressing release position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>) at which the power supply cam <b>117</b> releases pressing against the power supply members <b>116</b>. In a state where the front cover <b>6</b> is situated at the closed position, the power supply cam <b>117</b> is abutted, at its front end portion, against a second cam abutment part <b>145</b>L (to be described later) of the front cover <b>6</b> to be pressed rearward and to be situated at the pressing release position.
Each power supply member <b>116</b> includes a main electrode <b>120</b>. The main electrode <b>120</b> is movable in the leftward/rightward direction between: an energization position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>) at which the main electrode <b>120</b> contacts the electrical contact part <b>46</b>A of the developing unit <b>29</b>; and an energization release position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>) at which the contact with the electrical contact part <b>46</b>A of the developing unit <b>29</b> is released. The compression spring <b>118</b> always biases the power supply cam <b>117</b> forward toward the pressing position.
6. Belt Unit and Front Cover
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the belt unit <b>30</b> includes a belt frame <b>130</b>. The belt frame <b>130</b> includes a first side wall <b>133</b>R and a second side wall <b>133</b>L. The first side wall <b>133</b>R is disposed at a right end portion of the belt frame <b>130</b>. The second side wall <b>133</b>L is disposed at a left end portion of the belt frame <b>130</b>. That is, the first side wall <b>133</b>R and second side wall <b>133</b>L are disposed spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction.
The first side wall <b>133</b>R and the second side wall <b>133</b>L each have a substantially rectangular plate shape in a side view extending in the forward/rearward direction. The belt frame <b>130</b> supports the drive roller <b>32</b>, the follower roller <b>33</b>, the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b>, the four primary transfer rollers <b>35</b>, and the opposing roller <b>36</b> in an area between the first side wall <b>133</b>R and the second side wall <b>133</b>L.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 6</figref>, the front cover <b>6</b> has a substantially rectangular plate shape in front view extending in both of the vertical direction (upward/leftward direction) and the leftward/rightward directions. The front cover <b>6</b> includes the first cam abutment part <b>145</b>R, a second cam abutment part <b>145</b>L, the first pressing/abutment part <b>146</b>R, a second pressing/abutment part <b>146</b>L, a first drawer abutment part <b>147</b>R, and a second drawer abutment part <b>147</b>L.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the first cam abutment part <b>145</b>R and the second cam abutment part <b>145</b>L are disposed spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction at a substantial center, in the vertical direction, of a rear surface of the front cover <b>6</b>. The first cam abutment part <b>145</b>R and the second cam abutment part <b>145</b>L each have a substantially trapezoidal shape in a side view whose width is reduced toward the rear and protruding rearward from the front cover <b>6</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 5</figref>, the first pressing/abutment part <b>146</b>R and second pressing/abutment part <b>146</b>L are disposed spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction at an upper portion of the rear surface of the front cover <b>6</b>. The first pressing/abutment part <b>146</b>R and second pressing/abutment part <b>146</b>L each have a substantially trapezoidal shape in a side view whose width is reduced toward the rear and protruding rearward from the front cover <b>6</b>.
The first drawer abutment part <b>147</b>R and the second drawer abutment part <b>147</b>L are disposed spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction at a substantial center portion, in the vertical direction, of the rear surface of the front cover <b>6</b>. The first drawer abutment part <b>147</b>R and the second drawer abutment part <b>147</b>L protrude from the front cover <b>6</b> with their widths gradually becoming smaller toward the rear side.
Although described in detail later, the front cover <b>6</b> also supports third and fourth connecting parts <b>150</b>R and <b>150</b>L of an interlocking mechanism <b>148</b>.
7. Pressing Mechanism
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the image forming apparatus <b>1</b> includes a pressing mechanism <b>128</b> and an interlocking mechanism <b>148</b>.
The pressing mechanism <b>128</b> is configured to press the first and second pressing units <b>57</b>R and <b>57</b>L of each of the four process cartridges <b>14</b> and includes a first pressing member <b>131</b>R, a second pressing member <b>131</b>L, two first turning units <b>135</b>R and two second turning units <b>135</b>L.
(1) Pressing Member
The first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L are provided inside the main casing <b>2</b> and disposed spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction so as to sandwich the belt unit <b>30</b> therebetween. The first pressing member <b>131</b>R is disposed rightward of the first side wall <b>133</b>R of the belt unit <b>30</b>, and an upper portion of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R is connected to a lower portion of a right surface of the first side wall <b>133</b>R. The second pressing member <b>131</b>L is disposed leftward of the second side wall <b>133</b>L of the belt unit <b>30</b>, and an upper portion of the second pressing member <b>131</b>L is connected to a lower portion of a left surface of the second side wall <b>133</b>L. With this configuration, the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L are integrally formed with the belt frame <b>130</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L each have a substantially bar shape extending in the forward/rearward direction, more specifically, a substantially rectangular columnar shape extending in the forward/rearward direction.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, a front end portion of each of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L is disposed slightly forward of a front end portion of the first side wall <b>133</b>R of the belt unit <b>30</b>. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, a lower surface of each of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L is configured as an abutment surface <b>131</b>A. The abutment surface <b>131</b>A is disposed below the transfer surface <b>34</b>A of the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b>. In other words, the abutment surface <b>131</b>A is disposed on the process cartridge <b>14</b> side relative to the transfer surface <b>34</b>A so that the abutment surface <b>131</b>A is closer to the exposure unit <b>11</b> than the transfer surface <b>34</b>A is to the exposure unit <b>11</b>.
(2) Turning Unit
The two turning units <b>135</b>R are disposed rightward of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R. The two turning units <b>135</b>L are disposed leftward of the second pressing member <b>131</b>L. That is, the belt unit <b>30</b>, the first pressing member <b>131</b>R, the second pressing member <b>131</b>L, the two first turning units <b>135</b>R, and the two second turning units <b>135</b>L are arranged side by side in the leftward/rightward direction.
The front one of the two first turning units <b>135</b>R is disposed so as to correspond to a front end portion of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R, and the rear one of the two first turning units <b>135</b>R is disposed so as to correspond to a rear end portion of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R. That is, the two first turning units <b>135</b>R are disposed spaced apart from each other in the forward/rearward direction. As illustrated in FIGS. <b>3</b> and <b>5</b>, each first turning unit <b>135</b>R includes a support point part <b>136</b> and a pressing connecting part <b>137</b>.
The support point part <b>136</b> is disposed leftward of the concave part <b>85</b>A of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R and includes a support point shaft <b>138</b> and a first cylindrical part <b>139</b>. The support point shaft <b>138</b> has a substantially columnar shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction. The support point shaft <b>138</b> is rotatably supported by the first inner wall <b>85</b>R so as to protrude leftward from the concave part <b>85</b>A of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R. The first cylindrical part <b>139</b> has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction. The first cylindrical part <b>139</b> is attached to the support point shaft <b>138</b> at its portion leftward of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R so as not to be rotatable relative to the support point shaft <b>138</b>.
The pressing connecting part <b>137</b> connects the support point part <b>136</b> and the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and is disposed below the support point part <b>136</b>. The pressing connecting part <b>137</b> includes a connecting shaft <b>140</b>, a second cylindrical part <b>141</b>, and a continuous part <b>142</b>. The connecting shaft <b>140</b> has a substantially columnar shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction. The connecting shaft <b>140</b> is rotatably attached to the first pressing member <b>131</b>R so as to protrude rightward from a right surface of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R. The second cylindrical part <b>141</b> has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the leftward/rightward direction and is attached to the connecting shaft <b>140</b> so as not to be rotatable relative to the connecting shaft <b>140</b>. The continuous part <b>142</b> connects the first cylindrical part <b>139</b> and the second cylindrical part <b>141</b>. More specifically, the continuous part <b>142</b> extends upward from an upper end portion of the second cylindrical part <b>141</b> and is connected to a lower end portion of the first cylindrical part <b>139</b>.
The second turning unit <b>135</b>L has the same configuration as that of the first turning unit <b>135</b>R except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed.
The support point shaft <b>138</b> of the front one of the two first turning units <b>135</b>R penetrates the first inner wall <b>85</b>R in the leftward/rightward direction. The support point shaft <b>138</b> of the front one of the two second turning units <b>135</b>L penetrates the second inner wall <b>85</b>L in the leftward/rightward direction. A right side portion of the support point shaft <b>138</b> that penetrates the first inner wall <b>85</b>R is disposed in the concave part <b>85</b>A. Further, the right side portion of the support point shaft <b>138</b> disposed in the concave part <b>85</b>A supports a first connecting part <b>149</b>R (to be described later) of the interlocking mechanism <b>148</b>. A left side portion of the support point shaft <b>138</b> that penetrates the second inner wall <b>85</b>L is disposed in the concave part <b>85</b>A. Further, the left side portion of the support point shaft <b>138</b> disposed in the concave part <b>85</b>A supports a second connecting part <b>149</b>L (to be described later) of the interlocking mechanism <b>148</b>.
(3) Operation of Pressing Mechanism
The first pressing member <b>131</b>R, the second pressing member <b>131</b>L, and the belt unit <b>30</b> are configured to be integrally movable by the two first turning units <b>135</b>R and the two second turning units <b>135</b>L.
More in detail, the first pressing member <b>131</b>R is configured to be movable between: an abutment position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>) at which the first pressing member <b>131</b>R abuts against the first pressing units <b>57</b>R of the process cartridges <b>14</b> from the belt unit <b>30</b> side, i.e., from above; and an abutment release position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>) at which the abutment against the first pressing units <b>57</b>R is released. The second pressing member <b>131</b>L is configured to be movable between: an abutment position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>) at which the second pressing member <b>131</b>L abuts against the second pressing units <b>57</b>L of the process cartridges <b>14</b> from the belt unit <b>30</b> side, i.e., from above; and an abutment release position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>) at which the abutment against the second pressing units <b>57</b>L is released.
Being interlocked with the movements of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L from the abutment position to abutment release position, the belt unit <b>30</b> is moved: from a contact position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) at which the transfer surface <b>34</b>A of the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> contacts the four photosensitive drums <b>18</b>; to a separated position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>) at which the transfer surface <b>34</b>A of the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> is separated from the four photosensitive drums <b>18</b>. On the other hand, being interlocked with the movements of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L from the abutment release position to abutment position, the belt unit <b>30</b> is moved from the separated position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>) to the contact position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). That is, the belt unit <b>30</b> is configured to move between the contact position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) and the separated position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>).
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, in a state where the front cover <b>6</b> is situated at the closed position, the first pressing member <b>131</b>R is abutted, at the front end portion thereof on the first pressing abutment part <b>146</b>R to be pressed rearward and to be situated at the abutment position. Further, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, in a state where the front cover <b>6</b> is situated at the closed position, the second pressing member <b>131</b>L is abutted, at the front end portion thereof, on the second pressing abutment part <b>146</b>L to be pressed rearward and to be situated at the abutment position. As a result, in a state where the front cover <b>6</b> is situated at the closed position, the belt unit <b>30</b> is situated at the contact position.
8. Interlocking Mechanism
Although described in detail later, the interlocking mechanism <b>148</b> is configured to interlock the movement of the front cover <b>6</b> with the movement of the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L. The interlocking mechanism <b>148</b> includes the first connecting part <b>149</b>R, the second connecting part <b>149</b>L, a third connecting part <b>150</b>R, a fourth connecting part <b>150</b>L, a first connecting member <b>151</b>R and a second connecting member <b>151</b>L.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the first connecting part <b>149</b>R is provided to the front one of the two first turning units <b>135</b>R. The second connecting part <b>149</b>L is provided to the front one of the two second turning units <b>135</b>L.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 5</figref>, the first connecting part <b>149</b>R is disposed rearward of the right side portion of the support point shaft <b>138</b> that is disposed in the concave part <b>85</b>A of the first inner wall <b>85</b>R. The first connecting part <b>149</b>R has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a side view and extends rearward from the right side portion of the support point shaft <b>138</b>. That is, in terms of a peripheral direction of the support point shaft <b>138</b>, the first connecting part <b>149</b>R is disposed spaced apart from the continuous part <b>142</b> by substantially 90 degrees in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the right side.
The second connecting part <b>149</b>L has the same configuration as that of the first connecting part <b>149</b>R except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 5</figref>, the third and fourth connecting parts <b>150</b>R and <b>150</b>L are provided to the front cover <b>6</b>. The third and fourth connecting parts <b>150</b>R and <b>150</b>L are disposed on the rear surface of the front cover <b>6</b> at positions below the first and second drawer abutment parts <b>147</b>R and <b>147</b>L, respectively, spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction. The third and fourth connecting parts <b>150</b>R and <b>150</b>L each have a substantially rectangular plate shape in a side view and each protrude rearward from the rear surface of the front cover <b>6</b>.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 5</figref>, the first and second connecting members <b>151</b>R and <b>151</b>L are disposed spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction. The first connecting member <b>151</b>R is formed of a wire material and extends in a direction connecting the lower front side to upper rear side. The first connecting member <b>151</b>R includes a coil part <b>151</b>A and a linear part <b>151</b>B.
The coil part <b>151</b>A constitutes a lower front portion of the first connecting member <b>151</b>R and has a coil shape wherein the wire material is helically wound. The linear part <b>151</b>B constitutes an upper rear portion of the first connecting member <b>151</b>R. The linear part <b>151</b>B is continued from an upper end portion of the coil part <b>151</b>A and linearly extends in the upper rear direction.
An upper rear end portion of the first connecting member <b>151</b>R is engaged to a rear end portion of the first connecting part <b>149</b>R, and a lower front end portion of the first connecting member <b>151</b>R is engaged to a rear end portion of the third connecting part <b>150</b>R.
The second connecting member <b>151</b>L has the same configuration as that of the first connecting member <b>151</b>R except that the left and right sides thereof are reversed.
9. Detachment Operation and Attachment Operation of Process Cartridge
(1) Detachment Operation
Detachment operation of the process cartridge <b>14</b> is described.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 10</figref>, when a user desires to detach the process cartridge <b>14</b> from the main casing <b>2</b>, the front cover <b>6</b> is moved from the closed position toward the open position. As a result, abutment between the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the first pressing abutment part <b>146</b>R and abutment between the second pressing member <b>131</b>L and the second pressing abutment part <b>146</b>L are released. At the same time, in association with the movement of the front cover <b>6</b>, the third and fourth connecting parts <b>150</b>R and <b>150</b>L of the interlocking mechanism <b>148</b> are moved in the lower front direction. As a result, the coil part <b>151</b>A of the first connecting member <b>151</b>R and the coil part <b>151</b>A of the second connecting member <b>151</b>L are extended to become longer than the natural lengths thereof.
When the front cover <b>6</b> reaches the open position, the first connecting part <b>149</b>R is pulled in the lower front direction by a biasing force of the coil part <b>151</b>A of the first connecting member <b>151</b>R, and the second connecting part <b>149</b>L is pulled in the lower front direction by a biasing force of the coil part <b>151</b>A of the second connecting member <b>151</b>L. As a result, the two first turning units <b>135</b>R and the two second turning units <b>135</b>L each turn about the support point shaft <b>138</b> in a clockwise direction as viewed from the right side by 90 degrees. As a result, the pressing connecting part <b>137</b> is moved in the upper front direction and reaches a position forward of the support point part <b>136</b> as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. Accordingly, both the front and rear end portions of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R are pulled in the upper front direction by the pressing connecting parts <b>137</b>, and both the front and rear end portions of the second pressing member <b>131</b>L are pulled in the upper front direction by the pressing connecting parts <b>137</b>. As a result, the first pressing member <b>131</b>R is moved in a translational motion in the upper front direction from the abutment position to reach the abutment release position at which the abutment surface <b>131</b>A is separated from the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R. On the other hand, the second pressing member <b>131</b>L is moved in a translational motion in the upper front direction from the abutment position to reach the abutment release position at which the abutment surface <b>131</b>A is separated from the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L. Further, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the belt unit <b>30</b> is moved in a translational motion in the upper front direction from the contact position to reach the separated position at which the transfer surface <b>34</b>A of the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> is separated from the four photosensitive drums <b>18</b>.
That is, the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L are moved from the abutment position to the abutment release position as being interlocked with the movement of the front cover <b>6</b> from the closed position to the open position. The belt unit <b>30</b> is moved from the contact position to the separated position as being interlocked with the movement of the front cover <b>6</b> from the closed position to the open position.
Further, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, when the first pressing member <b>131</b>R is moved from the abutment position to the abutment release position, the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R are moved upward from the retracted position to the advanced position by the biasing force of the two biasing members <b>83</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R. Further, when the second pressing member <b>131</b>L is moved from the abutment position to the abutment release position, the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L are moved upward from the retracted position to the advanced position by the biasing force of the two biasing members <b>83</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L.
The contact portion <b>77</b>A of the advance/retract part <b>77</b> of the first biasing part <b>72</b>R of the drawer <b>15</b> biases upward the protruding part <b>53</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R of the process cartridge <b>14</b> by means of the biasing force of the two biasing members <b>78</b>. Further, the contact portion <b>77</b>A of the advance/retract part <b>77</b> of the second biasing part <b>72</b>L biases upward the protruding part <b>53</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L of the process cartridge <b>14</b> by means of the biasing force of the two biasing members <b>78</b>. Accordingly, the process cartridge <b>14</b> is moved upward from the engagement position to the engagement release position, with the vertical position of the process cartridge <b>14</b> in the leftward/rightward direction being kept constant.
At this time, the two restricting portions <b>77</b>B of the advance/retract part <b>77</b> are guided by the frame part <b>76</b>A, and then upward movement of the restricting portions <b>77</b>B is restricted by the two restricting projections <b>76</b>B. Accordingly, the moving amount, by which the contact portion <b>77</b>A of the advance/retract part <b>77</b> moves to push the process cartridge <b>14</b> from the engagement position to the engagement release position, becomes constant in the forward/rearward direction.
When the process cartridge <b>14</b> reaches the engagement release position, the engagement part <b>52</b> is separated upward from the positioning concave part <b>93</b> as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. As a result, engagement between the first flange <b>20</b>R of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> and the positioning concave part <b>93</b> of the first positioning member <b>89</b>R through the engagement part <b>52</b> is released, and engagement between the second flange <b>20</b>L of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> and the positioning concave part <b>93</b> of the second positioning member <b>89</b>L through the engagement part <b>52</b> is released. That is, when the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L are situated at the abutment release position, the contact portion <b>77</b>A of the advance/retract part <b>77</b> moves the process cartridge <b>14</b> from the engagement position to engagement release position.
When the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L are situated at the abutment release position, the process cartridge <b>14</b> is situated at the engagement release position, and the abutted part <b>82</b> is situated in the advanced position, the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R are separated from each other in the vertical direction, and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L and the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L are separated from each other in the vertical direction.
That is, a moving amount of each of the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L in the vertical direction from the abutment position to the abutment release position is larger than a total sum of a moving amount of the process cartridge <b>14</b> from the engagement position to the engagement release position and a moving amount of the abutted part <b>82</b> from the retracted position to the advanced position.
Then, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, the drawer <b>15</b> supporting the process cartridge <b>14</b> is pulled forward from the main casing <b>2</b> by a user. The drawer <b>15</b> is moved, with the first and second side frames <b>68</b>R and <b>68</b>L of the drawer <b>15</b> being guided by the first and second guide rails <b>94</b>R and <b>94</b>L, respectively. After the drawer <b>15</b> reaches the external position, the process cartridge <b>14</b> is separated, by the user, upward from the drawer <b>15</b> in the separating direction X, as indicated by dotted lines of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>.
As a result, detachment of the process cartridge from the main casing <b>2</b> is completed.
(2) Attachment Operation
Attachment operation of the process cartridge <b>14</b> is described.
When desiring to attach the process cartridge <b>14</b> to the main casing <b>2</b>, the process cartridge <b>14</b> is inserted by the user from above into the insertion opening <b>15</b>A of the drawer <b>15</b>. As a result, the process cartridge <b>14</b> is supported by the drawer <b>15</b>.
Subsequently, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 10</figref>, the drawer <b>15</b> supporting the process cartridge <b>14</b> is pushed into the main casing <b>2</b>. The drawer <b>15</b> is moved, with the first and second side frames <b>68</b>R and <b>68</b>L of the drawer <b>15</b> being guided by the first and second guide rails <b>94</b>R and <b>94</b>L, respectively. After the drawer <b>15</b> reaches the internal position, the front cover <b>6</b> is moved from the open position to the closed position.
As a result, the coil part <b>151</b>A of the first connecting member <b>151</b>R and coil part <b>151</b>A of the second connecting member <b>151</b>L are compressed in association with the movement of the front cover <b>6</b> toward the closed position. As a result, the first connecting part <b>149</b>R is pressed in the upper rear direction by the biasing force of the coil part <b>151</b>A of the first connecting member <b>151</b>R, and the second connecting part <b>149</b>L is pressed in the upper rear direction by the biasing force of the coil part <b>151</b>A of the second connecting member <b>151</b>L. Further, the first pressing abutment part <b>146</b>R of the front cover <b>6</b> abuts against the front end portion of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R to press the first pressing member <b>131</b>R rearward, and the second pressing abutment part <b>146</b>L abuts against the front end portion of the second pressing member <b>131</b>L to press the second pressing member <b>131</b>L rearward.
This causes the two first turning units <b>135</b>R and the two second turning units <b>135</b>L to turn about the corresponding support point shafts <b>138</b>, respectively, by about 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the right side. As a result, the pressing connecting part <b>137</b> is moved in the rear lower direction and reaches a position below the support point part <b>136</b>, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>.
As a result, the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L are pressed in the lower rear direction by the corresponding pressing connecting parts <b>137</b>, respectively, to be moved in a translational motion from the abutment release position to the abutment position. That is, the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L are moved from the abutment release position to the abutment position as being interlocked with the movement of the front cover <b>6</b> from the open position toward the closed position.
When the first pressing member <b>131</b>R thus reaches the abutment position, a left side portion of the abutment surface <b>131</b>A of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R abuts against, from above, the circular arc parts <b>82</b>B of the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. Further, a right side portion of the abutment surface <b>131</b>A of the second pressing member <b>131</b>L abuts against, from above, the circular are parts <b>82</b>B of the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L. That is, the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R are positioned leftward of the right surface of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R, and the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L are positioned rightward of the left surface of the second pressing member <b>131</b>L.
The first pressing member <b>131</b>R presses downward the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R, and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L presses downward the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L. As a result, the abutted parts <b>82</b> are moved downward from the advanced position to the retracted position so as to be separated from the belt unit <b>30</b>.
As a result, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the biasing members <b>83</b> are further compressed to bias the bottom walls of the support frames <b>81</b> downward. As a result, the process cartridge <b>14</b> is moved downward from the engagement release position to the engagement position against the biasing force of the two biasing members <b>78</b> of the first biasing part <b>72</b>R and the two biasing members <b>78</b> of the second biasing part <b>72</b>L. That is, when the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L are situated at the abutment position, the process cartridge <b>14</b> is disposed at the engagement position.
When the process cartridge <b>14</b> reaches the engagement position, the engagement part <b>52</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R is engaged with the positioning concave part <b>93</b> of the first positioning member <b>89</b>R from above as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, and engagement part <b>52</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L is engaged with the positioning concave part <b>93</b> of the second positioning member <b>89</b>L from above. That is, when the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R are abutted by the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and pressed by the first pressing member <b>131</b>R, the two biasing members <b>83</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R bias, toward the positioning concave part <b>93</b> of the first positioning member <b>89</b>R, the engagement part <b>52</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and the first flange <b>20</b>R of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>. Further, when the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L are abutted by the second pressing member <b>131</b>L and pressed by the second pressing member <b>131</b>L, the two biasing members <b>83</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L bias, toward the positioning concave part <b>93</b> of the second positioning member <b>89</b>L, the engagement part <b>52</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L and the second flange <b>20</b>L of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b>. As a result, the engagement parts <b>52</b> are engaged with the positioning concave parts <b>93</b> and are positioned with respect to the first and second positioning members <b>89</b>R and <b>89</b>L.
Thus, the first flange <b>20</b>R of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> is engaged with the positioning concave part <b>93</b> through the engagement part <b>52</b>, thereby being positioned with respect to the first positioning member <b>89</b>R. Further, the second flange <b>20</b>L is positioned in the same way as the first flange <b>20</b>R.
Further, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the belt unit <b>30</b> is moved in a translational motion in the lower rear direction from the separated position to the contact position in association with movement of the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L from the abutment release position to the abutment position. As a result, the transfer surface <b>34</b>A of the intermediate transfer belt <b>34</b> contacts from above the photosensitive drums <b>18</b>. That is, the belt unit <b>30</b> is moved from the separated position to the contact position as being interlocked with the movement of the front cover <b>6</b> from the open position to closed position.
10. Functions and Advantages
(1) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2B and 2C</figref>, the process cartridge <b>14</b> includes the protruding part <b>53</b> disposed on the first side wall <b>48</b>R and protruding part <b>53</b> disposed on the second side wall <b>48</b>L. The protruding part <b>53</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and protruding part <b>53</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L extend in the forward/rearward direction and overlap with the center C of the process cartridge <b>14</b>. Further, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, the drawer <b>15</b> includes a first biasing part <b>72</b>R and a second biasing part <b>72</b>L.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the first biasing part <b>72</b>R biases the protruding part <b>53</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R, and the second biasing part <b>72</b>L biases the protruding part <b>53</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L, thereby allowing the process cartridge <b>14</b> to be moved linearly in the vertical direction from the engagement position to the engagement release position. That is, the process cartridge <b>14</b> can be stably moved between the engagement position and the engagement release position.
(2) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the first biasing part <b>72</b>R includes the two biasing members <b>78</b> which are disposed in the forward/rearward direction with the center C of the process cartridge <b>14</b> interposed therebetween. Thus, the two biasing members <b>78</b> bias the protruding part <b>53</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R at both sides of the center C of the process cartridge <b>14</b>. The second biasing part <b>72</b>L is configured similarly.
As a result, the process cartridge <b>14</b> can be moved from the engagement position to the engagement release position more stably.
(3) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the advance/retract part <b>77</b> of the first biasing part <b>72</b>R is moved to advance and retract in the vertical direction by the biasing force of the two biasing members <b>78</b>. The guide part <b>76</b> of the first biasing part <b>72</b>R guides the movement of the advance/retract part <b>77</b>, so that smooth movement of the advance/retract part <b>77</b> can be ensured. The second biasing part <b>72</b>L is configured similarly.
This allows the process cartridge <b>14</b> to be smoothly moved between the engagement position and the engagement release position while reliably biasing the process cartridge <b>14</b> upward.
(4) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the two restricting portions <b>77</b>B restrict the movement of the advance/retract part <b>77</b>. Thus, when the contact portion <b>77</b>A moves the process cartridge <b>14</b> to the engagement release position or the engagement position, the process cartridge <b>14</b> can be reliably moved to the engagement release position or the engagement position.
(5) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the upper surface <b>77</b>C of the contact portion <b>77</b>A contacts the lower surface <b>53</b>A of the protruding part <b>53</b> to bias the protruding part <b>53</b>. Thus, the process cartridge <b>14</b> can be moved between the engagement position and the engagement release position more reliably.
(6) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the protruding part <b>53</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R protrudes rightward from the right surface of the first side wall <b>48</b>R, and the protruding part <b>53</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L protrudes leftward from the left surface of the second side wall <b>48</b>L. Thus, efficient layout of the protruding parts <b>53</b> can be ensured even with a simple configuration. This allows the first biasing part <b>72</b>R to reliably bias the protruding part <b>53</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and allows the second biasing part <b>72</b>L to reliably bias the protruding part <b>53</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L.
(7) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2B and 2L</figref>, the protruding part <b>53</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and the protruding part <b>53</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L each have a plate shape extending in the forward/rearward direction. This allows the first biasing part <b>72</b>R to stably bias the protruding part <b>53</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and allows the second biasing part <b>72</b>L to stably bias the protruding part <b>53</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L.
(8) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the two biasing members <b>78</b> of the first biasing part <b>72</b>R and the two biasing members <b>78</b> of the second biasing part <b>72</b>L are compression springs. Thus, the process cartridge <b>14</b> can be biased upward more reliably even with a simple configuration.
(9) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2B and 2C</figref>, the protruding part <b>53</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and the protruding part <b>53</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L are disposed overlapping with the center axis A of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> when projected in the vertical direction. Thus, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, when the first and second biasing parts <b>72</b>R and <b>72</b>L bias the protruding parts <b>53</b> of the first and second side walls <b>48</b>R and <b>48</b>L, respectively, the process cartridge <b>14</b> can be supported in good balance, allowing the process cartridge <b>14</b> to be moved more stably from the engagement position to the engagement release position.
(10) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, when the process cartridge <b>14</b> is situated at the engagement position, the engagement part <b>52</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R is engaged with the first positioning member <b>89</b>R, and the engagement part <b>52</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L is engaged with the second positioning member <b>89</b>L. Thus, positioning accuracy of the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> with respect to the main casing <b>2</b> can be improved. On the other hand, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, when the process cartridge <b>14</b> is situated at the engagement release position, the engagement between the engagement part <b>52</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and the first positioning member <b>89</b>R is released, and engagement between the engagement part <b>52</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L and the second positioning member <b>89</b>L is released. Thus, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, when the drawer <b>15</b> supporting the process cartridge <b>14</b> is moved between the internal position and the external position, the engagement part <b>52</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and the first positioning member <b>89</b>R are prevented from interfering with each other, and the engagement part <b>52</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L and the second positioning member <b>89</b>L are prevented from interfering with each other. As a result, the drawer <b>15</b> can be smoothly moved between the internal position and the external position.
(11) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 7</figref>, the front cover <b>6</b> and the belt unit <b>30</b> interlock with each other. Thus, when the front cover <b>6</b> is situated at the closed position, the belt unit <b>30</b> can be reliably disposed at the contact position; while when the front cover <b>6</b> is situated at the open position, the belt unit <b>30</b> can be reliably disposed at the separated position.
(12) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, by being abutted by the first pressing member <b>131</b>R, the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R biases the process cartridge <b>14</b> toward the engagement position against the biasing force of the first biasing part <b>72</b>R. By being abutted by the second pressing member <b>131</b>L, the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L biases the process cartridge <b>14</b> toward the engagement position against the biasing force of the second biasing part <b>72</b>L.
Thus, the engagement part <b>52</b> of the first side wall <b>48</b>R and the first positioning member <b>89</b>R can be reliably engaged with each other, and the engagement part <b>52</b> of the second side wall <b>48</b>L and the second positioning member <b>89</b>L can be reliably engaged with each other.
(13) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 10</figref>, the abutted part <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R is moved between the advanced position and the retracted position, so that even if the first pressing member <b>131</b>R is displaced from a predetermined desirable position when the first pressing member <b>131</b>R abuts against the abutted part <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R, the abutted part <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R can absorb the displacement of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R. Similarly, even if the second pressing member <b>131</b>L is displaced from a predetermined desirable position when the second pressing member <b>131</b>L abuts against the abutted part <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L, the displacement of the second pressing member <b>131</b>L can be absorbed.
(14) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, a moving amount of each of the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L from the abutment position to the abutment release position is larger than a total sum of a moving amount of the process cartridge <b>14</b> from the engagement position to the engagement release position and a moving amount of the abutted part <b>82</b> of each of the first and second pressing units <b>57</b>R and <b>57</b>L from the retracted position to the advanced position. Thus, when the first and second pressing members <b>131</b>R and <b>131</b>L are situated at the abutment release position, the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the abutted part <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R can be reliably separated from each other, and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L and the abutted part <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L can be reliably separated from each other.
As a result, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, when the drawer <b>15</b> supporting the process cartridge <b>14</b> is moved, the first pressing member <b>131</b>R and the abutted part <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R can be reliably prevented from interfering with each other, and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L and the abutted part <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L can be reliably prevented from interfering with each other.
(15) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the belt unit <b>30</b> is disposed above the process cartridge <b>14</b>. Thus, when the belt unit <b>30</b> is situated at the contact position, the belt unit <b>30</b> and the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> can be brought into contact with each other stably by the weight of the belt unit <b>30</b> itself.
(16) As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, when the drawer <b>15</b> is moved between the internal position and the external position, the first side frame <b>68</b>R of the drawer <b>15</b> is guided by the first guide rail <b>94</b>R, and the second side frame <b>68</b>L of the drawer <b>15</b> is guided by the second guide rail <b>94</b>L. Thus, smooth movement of the drawer <b>15</b> between the internal position and the external position can be reliably ensured.
11. Second Embodiment
With reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 13 and 14</figref>, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components as those in the first embodiment and the description thereof will be omitted.
In the image forming apparatus <b>1</b> of the above first embodiment, each process cartridge <b>14</b> includes the first and second pressing units <b>57</b>R and <b>57</b>L, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>.
On the other hand, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, the first pressing member <b>131</b>R includes the first pressing units <b>57</b>R, and the second pressing member <b>131</b>L includes the second pressing units <b>57</b>L.
The first pressing unit <b>57</b>R of this second embodiment is supported by the first pressing member <b>131</b>R with the top and bottom thereof being opposite to those of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R of the first embodiment. Similarly, the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L of this second embodiment is supported by the second pressing member <b>131</b>L with the top and bottom thereof being opposite to those of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L of the first embodiment.
More specifically, in the second embodiment, the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R has a configuration in which the two abutted parts <b>82</b> are biased downward by the two biasing members <b>83</b>. The two abutted parts <b>82</b> can be moved in the vertical direction between an advanced position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>) at which the abutted parts <b>82</b> advance downward and a retracted position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>) at which the abutted parts <b>82</b> retracted upward. The second pressing unit <b>57</b>L has the same configuration as that of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R.
As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, in the second embodiment, when the first pressing member <b>131</b>R is situated at the abutment position, the abutment surface <b>131</b>A of the first pressing member <b>131</b>R is disposed, slightly spaced apart from an upper end edge of the first side wall <b>48</b>R of the process cartridge <b>14</b>. The front one of the two abutted parts <b>82</b> in the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R is abutted on a front end portion of the upper end edge of the first side wall <b>48</b>R from above, and the rear one of the two abutted parts <b>82</b> in the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R is abutted on a rear end portion of the upper end edge of the first side wall <b>48</b>R from above. The second pressing unit <b>57</b>L operates in the same manner as the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R.
As a result, the first and second pressing units <b>57</b>R and <b>57</b>L press the process cartridge <b>14</b> downward against the biasing force of the first and second biasing parts <b>72</b>R and <b>72</b>L to situate the process cartridge <b>14</b> at the engagement position.
On the other hand, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, when the first pressing member <b>131</b>R is situated at the abutment release position, the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the first pressing unit <b>57</b>R are separated from the upper end edge of the first side wall <b>48</b>R in the upper front direction. Further, when the second pressing member <b>131</b>L is situated at the abutment release position, the two abutted parts <b>82</b> of the second pressing unit <b>57</b>L are separated from the upper end edge of the second side wall <b>48</b>L in the upper front direction.
Thus, the process cartridge <b>14</b> is biased upward by the biasing force of the first and second biasing parts <b>72</b>R and <b>72</b>L so as to be situated at the engagement release position.
As a result, also in the second embodiment, the same functions and advantages as those in the first embodiment can be obtained.
12. Modifications
In the above first and second embodiments, the process cartridge <b>14</b> integrally includes the photosensitive drum <b>18</b> and the developing unit <b>29</b>. However, the process cartridge may be modified to include a drum unit having the photosensitive drum and a developing unit detachably attached to the drum unit.
According to this modification, the same functions and advantages as those in the first and second embodiments can be obtained. The first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the modification can be appropriately combined with one another.
The leftward/rightward direction is an example of an axial direction, the vertical direction is an example of a first direction, and the forward/rearward direction is an example of a sliding direction.
While the description has been made in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the above described embodiments.
Contents6
16 sheets
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| Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK | DOCK | |
| Application Dispatched from OIPEOIPE | OIPE | |
| Email NotificationEML_NTR | EML_NTR | |
| Application Is Now CompleteCOMP | COMP | |
| Filing ReceiptFLRCPT.O | FLRCPT.O | |
| Sent to Classification ContractorPGPC | PGPC | |
| FITF set to YES - revise initial settingFTFS | FTFS | |
| Electronic Information Disclosure StatementEIDS. | EIDS. | |
| Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledWIDS | WIDS | |
| Cleared by OIPE CSRL194 | L194 | |
| Patent Term Adjustment - Ready for ExaminationPTA.RFE | PTA.RFE | |
| Request from applicant for the USPTO to retrieve the Priority DocumentPDREQUST | PDREQUST | |
| PTO/SB/69-Authorize EPO Access to Search ResultsSREXR141 | SREXR141 | |
| Applicants have given acceptable permission for participating foreignAPPERMS | APPERMS | |
| IFW Scan & PACR Auto Security ReviewSCAN | SCAN | |
| Entity Status Set To Undiscounted (Initial Default Setting or Status Change)BIG. | BIG. | |
| Initial Exam Team nnIEXX | IEXX |
4 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance fee paymentMAFP | MAFP | |
| Maintenance fee paymentMAFP | MAFP | |
| Information on status: patent grantGrantedPATENTED CASESTCF | STCF | |
| AssignmentAS | AS |
Numbers
- Publication
- 09557708
- Publication, DOCDB
- 9557708
- Publication, EPODOC
- US9557708
- Application
- 15016616
- Application, DOCDB
- 201615016616
- Application, EPODOC
- US201615016616
Titles
- English
- Image forming apparatus having drawer supporting process cartridge
Patent term adjustment
- Applicant delay
- −12 days
- Net adjustment
- 0 days
Classification
- CPC, 4
- G03G21/1842
- G03G21/1623
- G03G2221/1684
- G03G2221/1869
- IPC, 2
- G03G21 18
- G03G21 16
- USPC, 1
- 001001000